Erik ten Hag hits back at 'crazy' speculation over Manchester United future after FA Cup semi-final win

Erik ten Hag said it would be "crazy" to consider his Manchester United future based on their FA Cup semi-final collapse against Coventry City as he complained about the problems he's faced this season.

United were 3-0 up with 20 minutes to go against the Sky Blues but collapsed to draw 3-3 and were grateful for a marginal VAR call in the last minute of extra-time to deny the Championship side a winner.

It was a disastrous collapse from United and although they survived the penalty shootout, the muted celebrations spoke volumes and Ten Hag's position felt weakened, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe watching on alongside Joel and Avram Glazer.

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But when it was suggested to Ten Hag that another collapse had damaged his position during a period of change under Ineos, he shot back that it would be crazy to think that and referenced injuries and officiating calls that had gone against his team, including for the penalty that allowed Coventry to make it 3-3.

"That would be crazy. You need the tools to manage this, with all the injuries we don’t have so many tools, we don’t even have a back four in their best positions," he said.

"On that part I have to give the team a compliment, the players managed that, they were in a position that is not in their best. They gave 100%, which they should, but it’s not always easy to play the best football when you’re not in your best position."

Ten Hag was asked whether he felt the United fans were embarrassed at the way they had reached the final, but again pointed to the circumstances conspiring against his team.

"No, I can’t see that. At the end of the day, it’s about achievement. I see the mistakes we make, but it’s not an embarrassment, it’s a huge achievement," he said.

"Given a big team from United a decade ago they achieve final three times, now it’s two times in two years, that with all the setbacks, even today, at 3-3 it’s crazy that decision.

"Then we should get a penalty to make it 4-3, that was more a handball than the penalty we conceded. That happens many times. Chelsea, two crazy pens, Liverpool, penalty very debatable. It’s like a curse against us. We’ll take energy from this, we have to build the confidence."